Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellow-bourbon-coffee-roasters-to-open-at-weedon-depot">Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters to open at Weedon Depot</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="838" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Yellow-Bourbon-Weedon-838x1024.jpeg" alt="Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters Weedon Depot Northamptonshire" class="wp-image-54816" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Yellow-Bourbon-Weedon-838x1024.jpeg 838w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Yellow-Bourbon-Weedon-245x300.jpeg 245w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Yellow-Bourbon-Weedon-768x938.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Yellow-Bourbon-Weedon.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 838px) 100vw, 838px" /></figure>



<p>They take their coffee extremely seriously, so much so that laptops are frowned on, so don&#8217;t turn up expecting to bash out your magnum opus whilst sipping on a cortado, but Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters, based on Angel Street in Northampton&#8217;s Cultural Quarter, have announced a new café is set to open on 1 Feb at the Depot in Weedon, alongside some of our favourite local businesses, including Pose Fitness, The Weedon Project, The Reading Tree and Roman Way Brewery. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-13-bar-announces-temporary-closure">No. 13 Bar announces temporary closure</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="835" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/no-13-bar-835x1024.jpeg" alt="No 13 Bar Nene Court Wellingborough Northamptonshire" class="wp-image-54822" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/no-13-bar-835x1024.jpeg 835w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/no-13-bar-245x300.jpeg 245w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/no-13-bar-768x942.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/no-13-bar.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 835px) 100vw, 835px" /></figure>



<p>No. 13 Bar at Nene Court in Wellingborough (sister biz of the amazing <a href="https://restaurantember.com/">Ember restaurant</a> and host of the <a href="https://restaurantember.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Muddy Award Winners party</a>), have announced they&#8217;re to close for a bit pending the business of transferring their lease. Here&#8217;s hoping it&#8217;s only for a few weeks and they&#8217;re back open for cocktails on the terrace before we can say Tom Collins. Meanwhile head to Ember restaurant just next door for their top shelf small plate dining and tasting menu, all cooked on real fire right before your eyes; or head to <a href="https://www.thefourpears.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Four Pears</a> in Little Houghton for contemporary pub dining. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-cafe-set-to-open-at-the-old-bakery-in-brackley">New café set to open at The Old Bakery in Brackley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Old-Bakery-Brackley-768x1024.jpg" alt="The Old Bakery Brackley Northamptonshire" class="wp-image-54836" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Old-Bakery-Brackley-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Old-Bakery-Brackley-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Old-Bakery-Brackley.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>The clever team behind <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldfirestationbrackley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Fire Station</a> in Brackley have taken on a second venue in town, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theoldbakerybrackley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Bakery</a> (the one with the Hovis sign), which is being renovated as we speak. Will owner Danny Webster, who is also behind the fabulous <a href="https://websters-events.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webster&#8217;s</a> event catering, be bringing the Old Fire Station&#8217;s trademark friendly vibes, signature bakes and mouth-watering brunch and lunch menu to the venue? Watch this space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flo-spa-and-wellbeing-picks-up-the-baton-from-the-alfresco-spa">FLO Spa and Wellbeing picks up the baton from The Alfresco Spa </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="760" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Flo-Spa.jpeg" alt="Flo Spa and Wellbeing Silverstone Blackpit Lake" class="wp-image-54832" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Flo-Spa.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Flo-Spa-300x228.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Flo-Spa-768x584.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The fabulous Alfresco Spa at Blackpit Lake in Silverstone have had a rebrand. Now called <a href="https://www.flowellbeing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FLO Spa and Wellbeing</a>, the new look outdoor spa and swimming lake is set to open in Feb, keeping the wild swimming, Scandinavian sauna, and wood-fired hot tubs we&#8217;ve come to know and love. And if you&#8217;re new to the outdoor swimming lark, you can sign up for one of their <a href="https://www.flowellbeing.co.uk/our-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intro to Cold Water Swimming</a> sessions, which teach you how to prepare, stay calm and enjoy the health benefits of cold water dips. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="970" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Stowaway.jpeg" alt="Stowaway Festival Blackpit Brewery Silverstone" class="wp-image-54834" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Stowaway.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Stowaway-300x291.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Stowaway-768x745.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And just next door to Flo, <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stowaway</a> Festival has announced its first acts for this summer’s shindig from 15-17 August. Topping the bill at Blackpit Farm will be drum and bass act Fabio &amp; Grooverider with The Outlook Orchestra (after <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabioandgrooverider/reel/DAsk3_EuvYT/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rocking The Royal Albert Hall in March</a>), plus the likes of Horse Meat Disco, Seun Kuti, Anna Erhard, James Alexander Bright and Cousin Kula. Rave on! Stowaway is a family friendly festival though, so if all that electronica sounds a bit hardcore, there’ll also be plenty of comedy, theatre, and woodland for a more chilled out vibe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plans-announced-for-a-new-farm-shop-at-courteenhall-estate">Plans announced for a new farm shop at Courteenhall Estate </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="686" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Courteenhall-Farm-Shop.jpeg" alt="Courteenhall Farm Shop Northants" class="wp-image-54841" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Courteenhall-Farm-Shop.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Courteenhall-Farm-Shop-300x206.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Courteenhall-Farm-Shop-768x527.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;ve heard some exciting news from Courteenhall Estate, just outside Roade, who have announced that plans to open a farm shop and café celebrating the best of local producers and sustainable farming have been given the go-ahead. Expect mouthwatering menus inspired by the seasons, using ingredients from Northamptonshire and surrounding counties including Courteenhall&#8217;s own Traditional Hereford Beef. Plus there&#8217;ll be fresh and pantry goods to buy as well as scenic trails and cycling routes through wildflower meadows. We can&#8217;t say when the new venture will open it&#8217;s doors yet, but we cannot wait. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bye-bye-katie-cardew">Bye bye Katie Cardew</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew.jpeg" alt="Katie Cardew store" class="wp-image-54852" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew-768x766.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Katie-Cardew-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s time to bid adieu to the <a href="https://www.katiecardew.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Katie Cardew</a> stores in Oakham and Stamford, as well as one in Lincoln. Katie has decided to wrap up her homewares business, of which we&#8217;ve been longtime fans, in order to concentrate on <a href="https://www.homesbykatiecardew.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interior design</a>. If you love Katie&#8217;s illustrative style, you may be pleased to know that there are sales on all three stores now, so get along to your nearest one asap.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-eaterie-in-the-pipeline-at-former-buddies-diner-in-northampton">New eaterie in the pipeline at former Buddies Diner in Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="863" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Smoke-Pit-863x1024.jpeg" alt="The Smoke Pit Northampton" class="wp-image-54845" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Smoke-Pit-863x1024.jpeg 863w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Smoke-Pit-253x300.jpeg 253w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Smoke-Pit-768x912.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Smoke-Pit.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 863px) 100vw, 863px" /></figure>



<p>The team behind Northampton&#8217;s Smoke Pit restaurant (pictured above) and Hops and Chops have announced they&#8217;re in the process of taking over the former (and universally beloved) Buddies Diner building on Dychurch Lane in Northampton, originally built as a mission schoolhouse. The new venture will be called Mission Chicken, serving up the like of rotisserie chicken and spicy wings. These guys like their meat but there are always amazing veggie options on the menu at Hops and Chops and The Smoke Pit (chargrilled cauliflower chop with Bombay sauce &amp; crispy rice; meat free burger with vegan cheese in a vegan brioche), so you never know your luck if you&#8217;re not mega-meaty! Oh and if the new place is anything like its sister restaurants it&#8217;ll be a whole lot of fun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-falcon-flies-away">The Falcon flies away</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="897" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Falcon.jpeg" alt="Falcon hotel Castle Ashby" class="wp-image-54849" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Falcon.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Falcon-300x269.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/01/Falcon-768x689.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And finally, we are sad to have bid a fond farewell to one of our favourite local boutique hotels, restaurants and wellbeing hubs, The Falcon in Castle Ashby &#8211; two-time winner of the Muddy Award for Best Boutique Hotel. Owners Lord and Lady Northampton have made the decision to turn the site into a wellbeing centre, moving away from hospitality, the the swimming lake remains open and very popular indeed. We&#8217;re super excited what the new venture will bring later in 2025. </p>


Superflash news! The latest goss near you

You may also like